title: The comparative effectiveness of prednisolone and dexamethasone for children with croup: a community-based randomized trial.
abstract: Background. Although common practice, evidence to support treatment of croup with prednisolone is scant. Methods. We conducted a community-based randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of prednisolone (2 mg/kg/d for 3 days, n = 41) versus 1 dose of dexamethasone (0.6 mg/kg) and 2 doses of placebo (n = 46). Participants were children 1 to 8 years old with croup symptoms ≤48 hours, categorized as mild (42%) or moderate (58%). Results. There were no differences for those treated with dexamethasone or prednisolone for additional health care for croup (2% vs 7%, P = .34), duration of croup symptoms (2.8 vs 2.2 days, P = .63), nonbarky cough (6.1 vs 5.9 days, P = .81), nights with disturbed sleep for the parent (0.68 vs 1.21 nights, P = .55), and days with stress (1.39 vs 1.56 days, P = .51). Conclusion. There were no detected differences in outcomes between the 2 croup treatments for either child or parent.
authors.affiliation: 1Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Garbutt
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Conlon
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sterkel
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baty
authors.forename: Kenneth B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Schechtman
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mandrell
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leege
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gentry
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Stunk
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D003440:Croup / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011239:Prednisolone
keywords: croup; dexamethasone; prednisolone; randomized trial